Andrey Santos is a top young player who has recently turned 21. At that age, he needs to play. The loan developments for me should now be over, and he needs to establish himself at a club for a sustained period.
Can we expect such a talented 21-year-old to be a deep backup player at any club? No, we can’t. And that is why I can only see him moving on this summer. He’s not just some young talent, he’s a huge prospect with SO much talent already.
Santos and his camp are determined for him to be playing as a regular starter this season. But at Chelsea, he wont get that unless Enzo Fernandez is sold, or there is a big injury to one of our starting midfielders. Santos is not going to be starting ahead of Moises Caicedo, Fernandez, Romeo Lavia or Cole Palmer. And he will see and know this and I can only see his camp asking for a move.
Some will say that at a big club like Chelsea then you have to back yourself and expect competition. And I get that and do agree. However, when your competition is two players who cost over £100m and Lavia who we all know is incredible when he stays fit, then it’s not just another normal situation where he needs to compete. Chelsea, or Enzo Maresca, are not going to be regularly benching any of their midfielders to allow Santos to compete.
I am very disappointed that Santos hasn’t had a single minute in the Club World Cup yet though, and don’t anyone tell me about some legal documents that clubs signed to play their strongest Xl. Even if that is the case, it’s hardly stopping Santos coming on as a sub and getting a run out, is it? And who ‘polices’ such a thing anyway? Who is to say that Maresca’s strongest Xl on that day doesn’t include Santos? Maybe Santos is the fittest and least fatigued player available hence making him our strongest option? Not buying any of that nonsense, sorry.
Santos has been an unused sub in both games so far. Who is telling me that he couldn’t have come on against LAFC just for some minutes? It would send a message to say he at least has a chance to show what he can do rather than saying we don’t trust you over any of our other midfield options right now.
I’d not be at all surprised now if Santos is sold. We have always heard that the club have planned for him in the squad for next season, but at the same time, the will of the player will come in to play. I think Chelsea would sell him if his camp say they’re unhappy and want more guarantees.
I think it could just be one of those situations where it might be better for both parties to part ways and it just is what it is. I love Santos and think he’s a great player, and as I say, I’m disappointed that he hasn’t had any CWC minutes yet (still a chance I guess).
It’s easy for people to sit on the outside and tell a 21-year-old to just be patient, but he’s done and shown enough in two loan moves and deserves to be playing as a regular somewhere this season. Why would he stunt his development and go backwards by not playing games?
I don’t blame the club for buying options for deep midfield cover, we needed it with injuries and more games coming next season. It’s smart to have a big squad. But not all players are going to be content as a backup player and being told to fight for a spot. I think this is another reason why you shouldn’t fill a squad with young prospects. It’s a fine balancing act where young players need to play to develop. You can’t expect them all to just sit the bench week after week.
Santos is at a stage where he needs to play regularly, and he’s not getting that at Chelsea, is he?
It’s a disappointing situation but really, it’s just one of them where it’s frustrating but you can’t really pin too much blame anywhere and I can see all sides of this story. But I completely get the frustrations of not seeing him so far at the CWC.
